Chaney sent a letter Wednesday to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services saying Mississippi will run its own exchange. He says Mississippi will submit the full plan by Friday. Federal officials must approve the plan, but Chaney said he's confident Mississippi will ultimately get the go-ahead.

Chaney has worked toward the online insurance marketplace despite pressure from Republican Gov. Phil Bryant and others to abandon the plan. Chaney said he and Bryant discussed the submission Tuesday, but wouldn't disclose Bryant's reaction. Bryant's spokesman said he will comment later.

States face a Friday deadline to say they would run their plan. The federal government extended the deadline for submitting the plan until Dec. 14.